How Arsenal and Liverpool could line up in Premier League

11:23am on Friday 2nd April 2021
By Team FC

Arsenal host the reigning Premier League champions as domestic football returns this weekend following the international break, and Liverpool's visit should make for an enthralling encounter.

The capital club will be hoping they can build on their dramatic second-half comeback against West Ham last time out, while Jurgen Klopp's charges are aiming to string three consecutive wins together in all competitions for the first time since November 3.

Mikel Arteta's men are currently sitting in ninth position in the top-flight standings, two places and four points behind the Reds as both clubs continue to endure a difficult and underwhelming campaign.

Although the Gunners will have home advantage over the weekend, the visitors are unlikely to be daunted by the trip to the Emirates Stadium given their ongoing troubles on home territory.

While Liverpool have lost an incredible six consecutive league games at Anfield, they have collected 12 points from a possible 15 on their travels in recent weeks and will be confident of keeping that good run going heading into this one.

Arsenal's task has been made even harder after two of their brightest young talents are expected to be ruled out through injury. Bukayo Saka was withdrawn from Gareth Southgate's England squad with a hamstring issue, while Emile Smith Rowe picked up a thigh problem.

That should mean an attacking quartet of Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Martin Odegaard, and an in-form Nicolas Pepe start on Saturday as they look to take advantage of Liverpool's defensive frailties.

A midfield base Granit Xhaka and summer-signing Thomas Partey are set to feature from the off once again, with the North London outfit unlikely to take many risks in order to keep their slim Champions League qualification hopes alive.

Arguably Arteta's biggest call is who he starts at right-back. Calum Chambers put in a Man of the Match performance on only his second league outing of the season at the London Stadium and will be hoping he retains his place ahead of Hector Bellerin and Cedric Soares.

David Luiz should provide an experienced head in the centre of defence alongside Gabriel, with Kieran Tierney and Bernd Leno completing the starting XI.

Klopp remains unable to call upon the services of long-term absentees Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson, but the improvement of Ozan Kabak in recent weeks will have been a big relief.

Brazil international Alisson is set to take up his usual spot between the sticks behind a back four consisting of Andy Robertson, Nat Phillips, Kabak and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will be keen to put in a good performance after missing out on Southgate's recent Three Lions squad.

A midfield consisting of Fabinho in his more familiar holding role with Thiago and Gini Wijnaldum on either side should give the Liverpool engine room a much more familiar feel to it than the ones we've seen on many occasions this season.

Much has been made of the Reds' defensive troubles throughout the current campaign, but their misfiring front line has been equally to blame for their poor showing, and Diogo Jota should keep his place ahead of Roberto Firmino after scoring the winner against his former side Wolves before the international break.